1 Samuel 7:2-6

2From the day that the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim, the 1time was long, for it was twenty years; and all the house of Israel 2mourned after the Lord.

3Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “3If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then 4remove the foreign gods and the 5Ashtaroth from among you, and 6direct your hearts to the Lord and 7serve Him alone; and He will save you from the hand of the Philistines.” 4So the sons of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and served the Lord alone.

5Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to 8Mizpah and 9I will pray to the Lord for you.” 6So they gathered to Mizpah, and drew water and 10poured it out before the Lord, and 11fasted on that day and said there, “12We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the sons of Israel at Mizpah.